From the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

On Jan. 4, investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested Michael Wayne Stocks, 25, of 53 Bucks Country Manor in Chocowinity, Paula Christine Watson, 30, of 53 Bucks Country Manner in Chocowinity, and Christopher Lee Sutton, 27, of 284 N.C. Highway 102 in Chocowinity. They were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Their arrest stemmed from investigators with the Drug Unit assisting the Department of Public Safety Community Supervision (probation) with a warrantless search on Watson at 53 Bucks Country Manner in Chocowinity. Watson is currently on probation for an assault charge. Investigators found methamphetamine and immediately recognized toxic and explosive ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamines.

Investigators evacuated the residence and made contact with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations. Clandestine lab agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations responded to the scene. Clandestine lab agents collected evidence and removed toxic materials that are commonly used in the one pot method, called “shake and bake,” in manufacturing methamphetamines.

Stocks and Sutton were confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under no bond. Watson was confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.